Railways Tatkal scheme bags Rs356 crore profit

New Delhi: Indian Railways has made a profit of more than Rs300 crore alone from its Tatkal scheme of passengers reservation this year.

“The Railways earned Rs356 crore from its Tatkal scheme this year (October 2008). The profit is expected to go up," a senior ministry official said.

The Tatkal (immediate) scheme of reservation was launched by Railways a couple of years back. Under the scheme, passengers can book their tickets five days in advance from the date of boarding by paying additional charges.

In 2006-07, railways earned a Rs207 crore profit as compared to Rs396 crore in 2007-08 from the scheme.

According to officials, Tatkal booking opens at 8am on five days before of actual date of journey excluding date of the journey.

The ministry, apparently happy with the outcome of the scheme is also planning to make service more user-friendly.

“The ministry is also considering to extend the number of counters which issue Tatkal tickets, at major stations. It is also considering to open such counters at different other locations," the official said.

The Railway has recently relaxed proof of identity of the passenger seeking reservation under Tatkal scheme neither at the time of booking nor during the journey.

“For tickets booked through the internet using railways website or private portals, a passenger has to carry one of the five identity proofs authorised by the railways ministry while travelling," he said.